Inflated amusement device for playpens



Jan. 19, 1965 o. o'DANlELL 3,165,759

INFLATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR PLAYPENS Filed July 26, 1963 Oscar 0 'Danie/l Fig. 5 INVENTOR.

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Patented `Farr. 19, 1965 3,165,759 INELATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE FR PLAYPENS Oscar QDanieli, 1S S. Hanover, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Filed .luly 26, 1963, Ser. No. 297,775 7 Elaims. (Cl. 5-93) The instant invention is generally concerned with amusement devices for small children, and is more speciiically related to the provision of an inflatable device particularly adapted for orientation within a `playpen 1n a manner so as to allow the child to jump thereon.

It is a primary object of -the instant invention to provide a device, within a playpen, which will provide safe amusement for children over extended periods of time.

In achieving this object, the instant invention contemplates the provision of an inflated generally domed member capable of rebounding a child or object coming in contact therewith. For example, one obvious manner of using the device would be for the child to grasp the playpen wall or the top edge thereof and spring up and down on the device.

It is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide a protective cushioning strip about the upper edge of each of the playpen walls, this strip being of a relatively thick resilient material.

Inasmuch as the device of the instant invention is to preferably be used in conjunction with playpens, it is also an object of the instant invention to shape the device so as to closely conform to one corner of the playpen.

Furthermore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a device which is simple in structure while at the same time being of a highly durable nature capable of effectively withstanding the normally expected rough treatment.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of constructions and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a partial perspective view of a portion of a playpen having the inflated amusement device of the instant invention positioned therein;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the amusement device illustrated in its installed position within the corner of a playpen;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FlGURE 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a preferred manner of inating the amusement device; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional View taken substantially on a plan passing along line 5 5 in FIGURE l illustrating the protective cushioning.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate the inatable amusement device of the instant invention, this device 10 being particularly adapted for use within a conventional playpen 12 modified by the provision of elongated resilient cushioning strips 14 along the upper edges of the right angularly related upstanding playpen walls 16 peripherally surrounding the rectangular playpen floor 18 As Will be appreciated from the drawings, the amusement device 10 is sector-shaped with the two straight edges 20 thereof arranged at right angles to each other so as to closely conform to a corner of the playpen 12 formed by adjoining walls 16, the third edge of the device lll of course being arcuately shaped.

The inflated amusement device 1t) is formed basically of two portions or members, a lower flat base member 22,

this base member 22 being rigid and constructed of a suitable rigid material such as wood, plastic, or metal, and an upper inflatable flexible and resilient member 24. The inflatable member 24, formed preferably of rubber, includes an upper layer 26 and a lower layer 28 peripherally bonded, preferably by integrally forming, completely about the periphery 30 in an airtight manner. The lower layer 28 includes a flat lower surface which is positioned upon the flat upper surface of the base 22 and fixedly secured thereto as by gluing. If so desired, driven fasteners can be provided through the peripherally formed flanges 30, resulting from the interconnection between the individual peripheries of the layers 26 and 28, for securing the inflatable member 24 to the base 22.

The upper layer 26 of the inflatable member 24 is to be upwardly domed or bulged by the introduction of air under pressure so as to form suitable air cushion between the layers 26 and 23, the flat base 22 preventing a similar expansion of the layer 28. FIGURE 4 illustrates a preferred manner of introducing the air between the layers 26 and 28 by means of a removable inflating needle 32 and a ush valve 34. It will of course be appreciated that the valve 34- can be located in any number of desirable positions. Further, while the use of a flush valve and inflating needle have been specifically illustrated, the use of various other types of means for initiating the device 10 is also contemplated by the instant invention, the only limitation being that the iniiating means is not to interfere with the use of the device after the inflation thereof.

While the provision of an inflatable member 24 having two separate layers 26 and 28 is preferred, the lower layer Z8 can be eliminated and the periphery of the upper layer 26 secured directly to the base 22 in an airtight manner.

As mentioned supra, a cushioning member 14 is provided along the top edge of each of the Walls 16, this cushioning member 1d, preferably of rubber, is to enclose substantially the entire upper rail 36 in a manner so as to conceal all portions thereof with which a child might come in contact when bouncing on the device lll. It is contemplated that the members 14 be generally tubular in form with a full-length slit or opening along the bottom thereof so as to enable an outward exing thereof ingr frictional engagement about the corresponding rails 3 From the foregoing, it is to be considered readily apparent that a unique amusement device has been defined, this device being specifically shaped for conformance to a corner of a playpen within which it might be either xedly or removably positioned for use by a child.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and'changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An inatable amusement device particularly adapted for orientation within a `corner of a playpen for use by a child placed therein, said device being utilized by the child coming forcibly in contact therewith, said device including a flat rigid base and an inflatable member, said inflatable member consisting of an upper and a lower layer sealed toeach other in an airtight manner peripherally thereabout, said lower layer having a iiat lower surface positioned on and fixed to the flat base, and means for enabling introduction of air under pressure between the layers, said air forming a cushion between the layers, said air cushion maintaining the upper layer in a Y tioned.

3. An inflatable amusement device for playpens comprising a rigid flat sector-shaped base, a sector-shaped inflatable member secured to said base, and means for enabling the introduction of pressurized air so as toeffect an expansion of said inatable member, said base and inflatable member having the same planar dimensions and including tWo straight sides orientated at right angles to each other.

4. In combination With a playpen having a rectangular floor and four perpendicularly related vertically extending peripheral Walls thereabout, a rebounding device located in one corner of the playpen, said device including a resilient pressurized air inated upper portion periphd erally sealed and maintained in an upwardly domed inated condition by a cushion of pressurized air.

5. The structure of claim 4 including an elongated cushioning strip secured to the upper edge of each of the Walls.

6. The structure of claim 4 wherein said device is generally sector-shaped having two straight edges angularly related in the same manner as the sides of the playpen forming the corner Within which the device is to be positioned.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said device includes a rigid at base sealed to the upper resilient portion.

Reerences Cited inthe iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS v 751,102 Palmer Fb. 2, 1904 2,600,556 Malm June 7, 1952 2,644,173 James July 7, 1953 2,994,889 Oblaldel' Aug. 8, 1961 

1. AN INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT DEVICE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR ORIENTATION WITHIN A CORNER OF A PLAYPEN FOR USE BY A CHILD PLACED THEREIN, SAID DEVICE BEING UTILIZED BY THE CHILD COMING FORCIBLY IN CONTACT THEREWITH, SAID DEVICE INCLUDING A FLAT RIGID BASE AND AN INFLATABLE MEMBER, SAID INFLATABLE MEMBER CONSISTING OF AN UPPER AND A LOWER LAYER SEALED TO EACH OTHER IN AN AIRTIGHT MANNER PERIPHERALLY THEREABOUT, SAID LOWER LAYER HAVING A FLAT LOWER SURFACE POSITIONED ON AND FIXED TO THE FLAT BASE, AND MEANS FOR ENABLING INTRODUCTION OF AIR UNDER PRESSURE BETWEEN THE LAYERS, SAID AIR FORMING A CUSHION BETWEEN THE LAYERS, SAID AIR CUSHION MAINTAINING THE UPPER LAYER IN A GENERALLY DOMED MANNER HAVING THE MAJOR PORTION THEREOF SPACED FROM THE LOWER LAYER. 